West Coast Lady
ExploreInsects
West Coast Lady
Vanessa annabella
The West Coast Lady is a colorful butterfly that loves to flutter around flowers. With its bright orange and black wings, it can be seen dancing in gardens and fields during warm days.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The West Coast Lady has orange-brown wings patterned with black and white spots. Its hindwings feature distinctive blue-ringed eyespots, and its forewings have bold black and white bars, making it stand out from similar butterflies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusVanessa
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its antennae help it smell flowers and feel its surroundings, acting like super-sensors!
Its colorful wings are covered in thousands of tiny, overlapping scales!
This butterfly starts as an egg, becomes a caterpillar, then a chrysalis, and finally a beautiful butterfly!
This butterfly tastes with its feet! It 'tastes' plants by landing on them!
Special abilities
Ability
Long-Distance Traveler
West Coast Lady can travel long distances with its strong wings, helping it find new homes and abundant flower patches.
Ability
Nectar Sipper
West Coast Lady can unfurl a long, straw-like proboscis, using it to sip sweet nectar deep inside flowers.
Ability
Host Plant Finder
West Coast Lady lays eggs on specific host plants, ensuring its caterpillars have the perfect food to grow.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 45-60 mm
- Size
- 20-30 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Flight Speed
- 10-20 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies drink flower nectar and fruit juices.
Age differences: Caterpillars eat plant leaves, but adults sip liquid nectar from flowers using their long proboscis.
Primary Foods
- Nectar
- Tree sap
- Ripening fruit
- Mallow leaves
- Hollyhock leaves
- Cheeseweed
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Common Mallow
Malva neglecta
provides essential food for its caterpillars to grow.
pollinates
Canada Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
sips nectar, spreading pollen between its golden flowers.
eaten by
Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
is a common bird predator, eating adult butterflies.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
West Coast Butterfly
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance so they don't get scared.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West Coast Lady's wingspan?
45-60 mm
How big is West Coast Lady?
20-30 mm
How long does West Coast Lady live?
10-20 days
How fast can West Coast Lady fly?
10-20 km/h
What does West Coast Lady eat?
Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies drink flower nectar and fruit juices.
Where is West Coast Lady usually found?
Urban areas
How does West Coast Lady hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does West Coast Lady have?
6
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